Date:
October 27, 2026 04
To: Board of Supervisors
Title
Ratify Application and Accept Funding Related to California Department of Industrial Relations Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program (Districts: All)
End
Overview
The State of California (State) established the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program to support eligible public prosecutors in enforcing state labor laws and combating wage theft and other exploitative labor practices. In 2026, the State allocated $9 million annually to the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to continue administering the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program. For the July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, grant period, approximately $8.55 million is available statewide to eligible public prosecutors, with individual applicants eligible to receive up to $1 million. Grant funds may be used for staff salaries and benefits supporting workers’ rights enforcement activities and required annual audit costs.
The County of San Diego (County), through the Office of County Counsel (OCC) and the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE), has developed a coordinated workers’ rights enforcement framework to investigate labor law violations, recover unpaid wages, promote compliance, and connect workers with enforcement resources. Through participation in prior Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant cycles, OCC and OLSE expanded the County’s ability to investigate wage theft allegations, develop cases for enforcement, coordinate with community and government partners, and pursue recovery of wages owed to workers. OLSE also provides employers with education, technical assistance, and compliance resources to help businesses understand their obligations under applicable labor laws and prevent violations before they occur, while promoting consistent enforcement of labor standards throughout San Diego County.
Today’s action requests that the Board of Supervisors (Board) ratify OCC’s submission of the gra...
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